Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't Afford Me by Thedora Birnir

Chapter 52 I Just Want To

See You

Hadley lifted an eyebrow. What else would it be? Was he expecting someone else to be here?

Eric let out a low chuckle. “You’re really something, you know that? I help you out, take one sip from your mug, and suddenly I’m the bad guy?”

That wasn’t the case.

Hadley opened her mouth, ready to set him straight, but before she could, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen, and his expression shifted in an instant. “It’s me. Go on.”

Judging by his tone, it was something work–related.

“Got it. I’m on my way now.”

Eric ended the call and turned toward her. “I need to go.”

“Alright.” Hadley nodded, walking with him to the door. As he stepped out, she said, “Drive safe.”

“Yeah.”

Eric gave a slight nod before heading down the stairs.

For a brief second, something strange settled over him–almost like a husband leaving for work while his wife saw him off.

But when he reached the last step, Eric slowed, glancing back toward her place. His expression darkened. How was he going to convince Hadley to leave this dump of a neighborhood?

Hadley hardly spared another thought for Eric’s visit. The moment he left, it was already slipping from her mind, no more than a passing breeze that barely registered.

Right now, she had far more pressing concerns. Money.

After turning it over in her head countless times, Hadley found herself considering someone she had sworn never to contact again. Not under any circumstances. Not even if her life depended on it.

But she was still alive, and she desperately needed help. For the sake of her child, she had no choice but to swallow her pride.

With a deep breath, she pulled out a phone number she hadn’t touched in years. Her fingers trembled as she punched it in.

13:52

Chapter 521 Just Want To See You

Did he still have the same number after all this time?

She pressed the call button, holding her breath.

The line connected.

A voice–one she hadn’t heard in so long, yet still painfully familiar–answered. “Hello? Who’s this?”

Hadley’s heart pounded against her ribs. Her tongue felt heavy, but she forced herself to speak. “It’s me.”

A brief silence followed.

Then, the man’s voice came through again, this time filled with a mix of shock and something dangerously close to excitement. “Hadley? Is this really you?”

She gripped the phone tighter, her other hand pressing hard against her knee. “Yeah. It’s me.”

His reaction was immediate. “Can’t believe you really call me!” His voice wavered slightly before he caught himself. “Wait–do you need something?”

He seemed to realize how that sounded and quickly backtracked. “I don’t mean you can’t call unless you need something! That’s not what I meant. You can call me anytime. Whenever. I’ll always pick up.”

The way he stumbled over his words made Hadley’s eyes sting.

fingers curled into her palm, shaking

waste time on pleasantries.

to me? I can’t promise to pay it back quickly, but I

guard, but there was no hesitation

“Five hundred thousand.”

gave him the

The man was clearly taken aback. His voice shot up slightly as he blurted, “Hadley, why do you need that kind

it or not? If you’re not, then I won’t waste your

“Wait!”

could hang up. “Just–don’t hang

up? What for? Hadley frowned, immediately wary.

“Hadley…”

give you the money, I promise. It’s been years. I just want to see you. That’s all. We’ll meet, and I’ll

options. She had no desire to see him again, but five hundred thousand wasn’t a small amount, and her child’s life depended on it.

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13:52

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о

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Want

pause, she gave

place. Just don’t back out on me.”

“I won’t”

days later, Hadley arrived at a private club in the

spot–quiet, discreet, the kind of place where people went when they didn’t

to see her, yet he

Since entry was restricted to members, she

front.

“This way, please.”

Adjusting the strap of her bag, she followed the staff member inside.

lit, and the air carried a faint scent of expensive cologne and aged whiskey. It was her first time in a place like this, and despite being led in, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she didn’t quite belong here.

down the hallway, a door ahead suddenly

could react, someone stepped out, and

The apology left her lips instinctively.

“No prob-”

started to brush it off, but the moment he saw Hadley, his words cut short. Holding his phone in one

“Hadley?”

guard. Of all

you even

shifted almost immediately.

across his face.

You can come here, but I can’t? Or is there some rule

“Hadley!”

don’t need to concern yourself

a pointless back–and–forth.

member who had been guiding

picked up her pace, moving past Eric without

staff member assured her

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CO

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<

Want

stood rooted in place, watching as she disappeared around the corner. His fingers curled into fists before he shoved his phone into his pocket,

want

Fine. He wouldn’t.

he even care?

private room, Eric couldn’t relax. His mind was elsewhere, and